Clemson heads into spring practice down three defensive backs that left early for the NFL. While former cornerback Mackensie Alexander and safeties T.J. Green and Jayron Kearse were working out for pro scouts and general managers on Monday, defensive backs coach Mike Reed was looking for their replacements.

Who are their replacements?

Let’s start off at cornerback where the first question is can the Tigers find their replacement for Alexander this spring? The simple answer is yes, though you don’t really replace a guy like Mackensie Alexander. Clemson has some guys in place that are more than capable of filling in and performing well.

Mark Fields was a highly-touted corner in the 2015 class. He had a hand-injury in fall camp last summer that set his development back, but the coaches really like his coverage skills and his potential. Adrian Baker will also get a good look this spring. He was the one who came off the bench and played for much of the game after Alexander went down with his hamstring injury in the national championship game.

Redshirt freshman Kaleb Chalmers will also get a shot to prove what he can do.

Can Tanner Muse be the Tigers’ next big-time safety? This will be a big spring for the redshirt freshman. At 6-foot-3, 225 pounds he is bigger than Kearse and Green. The coaches raved about his ability during his redshirt season. He also was one of the junior varsity players that showed out consistently during bowl practices.

The only knock on Muse from his high school days was his ability to tackle consistently. He likes to bring the wood and use his shoulder to deliver a blow. Though that can be good at times, he has to show a more consistent level of tackling this spring, especially if the Tigers bring him down and use him in the run defense like they did Kearse and Green the last two seasons.

How good will Tankersley be now that he is the guy. There were times last year, Cordrea Tankersley got aggravated about hearing all the talk about Alexander. He felt like he was just as good and he was not getting the respect he deserved. He did prove himself with a team-leading five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, as quarterbacks and offensive coordinators picked on him time-and-time again.

But can Tankersley take the next step and become a shutdown corner?

Though he definitely is as skilled and as fast as Alexander, can Tankersley become a student of the game like Alexander? Will he take the time to develop in the meeting rooms and the film rooms the way Alexander did as he always tried to stay one step ahead of the other team?

These are the areas where Tankersley needs to grow the most if he wants to become a first-round pick in next year’s NFL Draft.

Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

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